POLICE Scotland have urged the public to take care hill walking around areas like Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Over the past two months police have received 46 calls to search and rescue incidents across the country, the most recent taking place at Ben Lomond where the Lomond Mountain Rescue Team had to escort two hillwalkers down during perilous conditions.

Both women were eventually charged by police.

Access to a number of popular beauty spots has also been restricted by inconsiderate parking and large numbers of people travelling for outdoor recreation.

READ MORE: Ben Lomond rescue: two women charged

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “I fully appreciate that the restrictions affect how we live our lives and spend our free time, however, the best way to stay safe is to stay at home.

"To protect the NHS we also need to protect our volunteers and emergency service colleagues who, by the nature of their work, put themselves at risk each time they’re called to an incident.

“Particularly at the weekends we are seeing people travelling for leisure purposes out with their local authority areas and sometimes getting caught out by the change in weather conditions.

“We have been very clear that we will not be routinely stopping vehicles or setting up road blocks.

"However, officers may in the course of their duties come across people who are travelling from one local authority area to another.

"Officers will continue to support people to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility.

"The vast majority of people have stepped up to take responsibility and our determination and collective effort to tackle this virus must now continue through these difficult times.

“If you do find yourself in need of assistance because of being lost, injured, or in an emergency when outdoors, then phone 999, ask for police then Mountain Rescue. You will be helped.”

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